Dibba Al Hisn Duo Theatre Festival continues with “Dialogue”

Syrian production “Dialogue” takes the stage

The fourth evening of the festival featured the Syrian production "Dialogue", presented by the “Ra’a” Visual and Audio Arts Company. The play is written and directed by Ma’moun Al-Khatib and performed by Ibrahim Issa and Alaa Affash.

The work explores the transformation of the artist and intellectual—once driven by humanistic concerns and inspired by the worlds of Chekhov, Ibsen and Lorca—into someone who is preoccupied primarily with survival. It traces his decline from a theatre director with artistic vision and purpose into an assistant director in television drama, increasingly driven by financial necessity, industry pressures, and the demands of social media celebrity culture.

Discussion highlights theatre's challenges

A critical symposium followed the performance, moderated by Emirati artist Abdulrahman Al Mulla. The participants appreciated the simplicity, clarity and authentic representation of the realities and challenges faced by theatre practitioners.

The two actors were praised, but some noted the characters' dramatic balance and scene transition pacing.

Director thanks Sharjah’s cultural support

In response, Ma’moun Al-Khatib expressed his gratitude to the Sharjah Department of Culture for its continued efforts in supporting and developing Arab theatre and for providing platforms that foster cultural exchange and professional dialogue among Arab theatre-makers.

He also thanked the contributors to the discussion, noting that he would take all feedback into account in future production developments.

At the conclusion of the session, Colonel Tariq Abdullah Al-Ahbash, Head of the Dibba Al Hisn Comprehensive Police Station—the sponsor of the fourth day of the festival—presented a certificate of appreciation to the Syrian theatre troupe.

Workshop on the journey from text to stage

As part of the festival’s accompanying training programme, a workshop titled “Theatre Journey From Text to Performance” was held at 5:00 p.m. The session was led by Tunisian artist Ali Al Yahyaoui.

He guided participants through practical demonstrations on how to analyse a script and develop an initial directorial vision for staging, drawing on selected scenes from works by Chekhov and a folktale.

Cultural gathering in Khorfakkan

Earlier, the Theatre Department of the Sharjah Department of Culture hosted a dinner in the Shalal Khorfakkan area, attended by Ahmed Bourahima. The event celebrated festival participants and included the distribution of participation certificates to guests from Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan.